— By James Walton —
Emerging trends & technologies in energy management that retail and restaurant businesses need to know about.
Energy management is critical to any multi-site business. Rising energy costs and inefficiency directly affect the bottom line and sustainability goals. Businesses should constantly be looking for ways to improve their energy management practices.
In recent years, significant technological advancements have revolutionized how energy is managed and consumed. These emerging energy management technologies deliver more efficiency and offer greater control and visibility into a business’s energy usage. Let us delve into the evolving world of energy management and explore the positive impact it can have on your business.
The Power of Automation
One of the biggest trends in energy management technology is automation. Advanced sensors, data analytics and machine learning algorithms enable retail and restaurant businesses to automate their energy management processes. Machines and systems can make decisions regarding energy usage based on real-time data without human intervention. For example, machine learning algorithms can analyze thousands of data points collected from a single rooftop unit (RTU) and determine the optimal amount of time needed for efficient cooling or heating, resulting in reduced energy consumption without compromising customer comfort.
Automation is an ever-advancing field. With artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies becoming increasingly sophisticated, expect even smarter and more efficient energy management systems that require minimal human involvement to achieve optimum results.
Electrifying the Future
As the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) grows, retail and restaurant businesses need to adapt and consider integrating EV charging stations to accommodate their customers’ increasing demand. Beyond satisfying environmentally conscious customers, investing in a well-thought-out EV charging infrastructure is a strategic move to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving market.
Thanks to government incentives, like those included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the costs of implementing charging stations have been significantly reduced. However, integrating these systems is not merely a marketing tactic to increase visit frequency and dwell time but a critical component that impacts facility management. Embracing this opportunity will drive your business toward a greener future, and managing EV charging equipment will become an integral part of a comprehensive energy management solution.
Harnessing Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power have gained momentum in recent years, becoming key players in energy generation. As the world becomes increasingly aware of the environmental impact of traditional energy sources, businesses are beginning to integrate on-site renewable energy into their overall energy management strategy.
With technological advances, these clean energy sources are becoming more affordable and reliable. Not only does integrating renewable energy sources help businesses in their sustainability efforts, but it can also become a profitable investment. Businesses can sell excess renewable energy back to the grid, increasing their return on investment and potentially generating new revenue streams.
Battery storage technologies have come a long way in recent years and are set to continue progressing rapidly. With advancements on the horizon, experts predict the price point for battery storage will become more accessible and widely adopted. In conjunction with local power generation, battery storage will facilitate grid independence for businesses. However, adding a battery to your facility won’t yield benefits automatically. Integrating it with an Energy Management System (EMS) platform is crucial to unlock its full potential.
These distributed local power generating capabilities have created a need for more innovation. Distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS) have evolved to present innovative solutions to meet the demand for reliable, efficient and sustainable energy. DERMS leverage various distributed energy resources, such as solar panels, wind turbines and batteries, to provide localized energy during times of need, such as utility company curtailments or emergencies like natural disasters. This approach grants businesses greater energy independence, minimizing the impact on operations and reducing the exorbitant costs associated with customer comfort, lighting issues or refrigeration. However, it will also require close integration with an EMS to manage and maintain the equipment effectively.
In addition to the financial benefits, incorporating renewable energy into business operations may improve brand image and reputation. It is apparent that consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious. Businesses that prioritize sustainability and utilize clean energy sources are viewed more favorably.
Real-time Monitoring and Analytics
Businesses are rapidly embracing technological advancements, and one development, in particular, making a significant impact is real-time monitoring and analytics. Today, the most common real-time monitoring and analytics are focused on HVAC infrastructure, but by utilizing sensors, smart meters and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, businesses will be able to convert their buildings into data-generating objects.
As an example, equipment manufacturers are digitizing their equipment, which results in new data insights being captured for analysis to manage assets more efficiently. The future promises to seamlessly integrate data from multiple equipment platforms into a single, real-time monitoring platform to consolidate all performance and energy data.
The HVAC industry is not far behind in this technological revolution. While efficiency improvement is a common focus, exciting developments in sensors and analytics within HVAC RTUs (rooftop units) are gaining momentum. Several manufacturers are now incorporating Bluetooth technology into control cards, which will allow specialized technicians of the future to diagnose and repair HVAC systems remotely by utilizing an apprentice, which will reduce the onsite cost and improve initial fix quality.
Similar advancements are being made in refrigeration management. Refrigeration controls are moving from mechanical to more advanced controls that incorporate coil sensors, pressure sensors and various temperature sensors. The added components allow the controller to optimize the equipment runtime and defrost cycles and provide valuable insight that can be used in predictive analytics.
The advantage of real-time monitoring and analytics is that they assist in identifying equipment malfunctions or inefficiencies that may contribute to higher energy consumption or customer discomfort. By addressing these issues proactively, businesses can take corrective action and avoid operational disruptions.
Implementing these advanced technologies throughout multi-site facilities will take time, particularly when replacing existing equipment. Limited capital will hinder the widespread adoption of advanced HVAC and newly digitized kitchen systems. Nevertheless, it is certain that there is a commitment to not only innovation but finding cost-effective solutions to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and implementation.
Predictive Maintenance
Predictive maintenance uses real-time sensor data combined with machine learning algorithms to identify patterns or microchanges that are designed to predict potential failures in the future. This enables businesses to schedule maintenance activities at the most opportune time, minimizing disruptions and optimizing energy usage.
To fully leverage the benefits of predictive maintenance solutions, a seamless connection between Energy Management Systems and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) is crucial. While communication between these platforms has traditionally been unidirectional, with a focus on work order issues from the site, bilateral communication has recently emerged, opening the possibilities for advanced automation to leverage AI/ML models being used for predictive maintenance. Imagine a fault is predicted, and a work order is created and ready for dispatch without human intervention. This groundbreaking technology will enhance remote troubleshooting capabilities, including accurately determining the source of issues. The benefits of predictive maintenance solutions include the reduction in equipment downtime, reduced technician time on-site and reduced follow-up truck rolls to complete a repair.
The Impact on Businesses
In today’s fast-paced retail and restaurant industries, downtime can be a major setback. Critical equipment failures lead to costly downtime, soaring energy expenses and potential losses of perishable inventory. Not only does this negatively impact the customer experience, but it also hits your bottom line.
Every aspect of our professional and personal lives is being digitally transformed. There is no real choice as to whether we should digitize. Either transform or be left behind. Similarly, the effects of climate change are increasingly impacting our communities and businesses economically. There is no real choice, either to manage our carbon emissions or face economic consequences.
New energy management technologies are growing at a rapid rate and transforming how businesses manage and consume energy. With increased automation, integration of renewable energy sources, real-time monitoring and analytics, and predictive maintenance, businesses can achieve significant cost savings, improve efficiency, improve first-visit repairs and support sustainability efforts. Retail and restaurant businesses must stay updated with these emerging technologies and incorporate them into their strategies to remain competitive in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Overall, incorporating these technologies not only benefits businesses but also has a positive impact on the environment and our communities. The winners of the next decade will be those that digitally transformed.
— James Walton is co-founder and vice president of product commercialization of ENTOUCH. As a co-founder of ENTOUCH, Walton has an entrepreneurial spirit paired with his experience as a multi-national sales and partner development leader.